"Looking for something to find"

I recently went to the career centre at my university to get some help to find a place for me in this world. I really don't know what I could do for what organization.

The guy told me about their approach to careers, and I wonder what other people think of this. WOuld you try it? He said that one should look for opportunities to get experience using the kinds of skills you want to build your career on, with organizations that you can believe in (or at least believe in much of what they do) and get started with volunteering and trying things out. The reasoning is something like what people call networking, but it's more than that. It's like connecting with the community for the sake of finding things out about the world, and "you never know what you will find that you couldn't have predicted." Exploration and keeping your eyes, ears, and mind open.

He referred me to this website, which could tell you more about this program. The university got the ideas/resources/materials from this other organization: Career Counselling, Coaching, Employee Engagement & Training - Toronto

For me, I'm skeptical partly because I really don't mesh well with people. I cried a lot after the first day I met with this guy. The main thing I want is to NOT deal with a bunch of normal people that I can't relate to, that I have to be fake with. I'm so sick of faking it. I'd rather die/starve/etc.

That program sounds good for many folks, but, as you say, doesn't seem right for you.

I assume you are looking for a career, then, where you don't need to deal with many people? I think that's a point that would be good to make when you go to places for info about jobs. Otherwise, you are likely to get appoaches such as this one.

I hope things will go better for you soon, H3rmit. Please hang in here.

The person I was working with well knew and repeatedly mentioned the fact that I don't want to work with lots of people (and there's lots more to it than that), but still the only approach he had for finding something I could do was this approach. I can't connect with people because I have never had much in common with them. I'm over 50, and I have tried. I have a lot of experience, none of it pleasant. Sure there are a few nice people out there and I have been successful in various ways, but the cost to me in terms of having to deal with people has made life not worthwhile over all. So the guy refers me to the counselling department and asks me if I have thoughts of self-harm. Frustrating.

Well, he sure wasn't flexible. That's disappointing. Is there someone else you can go for advice?

Not really. He's kind of the last resort. A referral from a referral from a referral. He's actually the manager of the whole program. I can see he's very skilled, but the problem seems to be bigger than work.

It's hard to join the human race when no one will let you in.

I guess this is a slow forum, or the topic is of no interest. Is everyone here still using the "apply to postings" approach to job finding?